The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 2 — Section 230

Cllll!ama, and it was a most humiliating thing, to which they were utterly averse, for the ~igh pr!eet and the elders to appear before the Roman judge to get their countrymen moo their own power; nevertheleBS the undying hatred, the animosity which did not diminish by time carried them through their dist.asteful work. 2. Disgusting flattery (vers. 2, 8). 8. Gross misrepresentation (ver. 6). Paul had caused no little dissension and conflict among his fellow-countrymen, but it was simple perversion of the truth to call him a "pestilent fellow," etc. 4. Offensive characterization (ver" 5). Paul was "a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes;" but malice put his :eosition into the most offensive form it could command. 5. Downright falsehood (ver. 6). He had nol "gone about to profane the temple." These various falsities came from the lips of Tertullus, but they were owned and adopted by the Jews (ver. 9). To such baseness malice will ~toop to compass its ends; to such iniquity professed piety will condescend wh4lJl mfl.amed by the unholy heats of bigotry. IT. THE DEFENCE oF INNOCENCE. 1. Courtesy(ver.10). We may not flatter, but we must be courteous and conciliatory (1 Pet. iii. 8; 1 Sam. xxv. 23-33). 2. Straight- forward statement (vers. 11, 14-17). There is no better way by which to prove our integrity than telling the whole truth from beginning to end, with perfect frankness. 8. Fearless denial (vers. 12, 13, 18). We should solemnly deny, in calm and dignified language, that which is falsely alleged against us; in quietness and composure rather than in vehe:nence and loud prot.estation, is our strength. 4. Righteous challenge (vers. 19, 20). We may do well to face our accusers with bold and righteous challenge (John viii. 46). III. THE PITIFUU,'"ESS OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IN POWER. Felix (1) gave an unrighteous decision, for the case had broken down, and Paul should have been released; (2) hankered after a bribe (ver. 26); was willing to sell justice for money; (3) left his posi- tion with an act of selfish injustice (ver. 27). He presents a pitiful picture both as a public administrator and as a private individual. How little to be envied are those who climb to high stations! How contemptible is power when it is perverted to mean and selfish ends l How admirable, how enviable in comparison, is innocence in insignifi- cance or even in bonds !-C. Vers. 15, 16.-.A powerful incentive to a noble life. Between the life of the meanest and basest men on the one hand, and that of the purest and noblest on the other, what an immeasurable spiritual space intervenes l We look here at- L A NOBLE HIDdAN LIFE. There are those who, in the ordering of their life, never rise above (1) a consideration of their own enjoyment or acquisition. There are others who never rise higher than (2) the consideration of others which is bom of natural affection ; that which springs from the ties of kindred and, perhaps, common interest or companionship. Others again there are who get as far as (3) political or national enthusiasm. But they only are worthy of the One " with whom they have t.o do," and reach the full stature of their manhood, who are constrained by (4) the sense of obligation to God and to man. Paul "exercised himself to have always a conscience," etc. Here was: 1. A lofty aim. "To have a cooscience void of offence toward God, and toward men." This mems something more than the avoids.nee of the darker sins and the greater crimes, of those misdeeds which stamp a man as a sinner and a criminal in the eyes of the world. It means (1) righteousneBB in the sight of the Supreme; the being counted righteous by God, and the attainment of positive righteousness like hie own; so that a man is living in a state of abiding acceptance with God, and is also walking before him in uprightness and integrity of heart and life. It means also (2) recognition of the claims of men on our regard, and the consequent shaping of our life in purity, honesty, truthfulness, helpfulness; so that a man has not to reproach him- self either with acts of injury or with negligence and inconsiderateness; he has a " conscience void of offence " toward men as well as toward God. 2. ..i comprehensive 'View. Paul aimed to be conscientious at all times, in all things (II.A ,rl&Jl'l'ds). And we know that this was more than a :fignre of speech; it could hardly be said t.o be in any way hyperbolicaL He did strive t.o act with a good conscience always. With whom- soever he had to do, in whatsoever he was eogaged, he sought to act faithfully. And the truly noble life is one in which the humbler as well as the higher activities and enduranC61 a.re_ regulated b7 holy and heavenly principles. 8. An earnest end«wour; ClB, lllV, 1-27,] THE Aars OF' THE APOSTLES. 237